Outdoor Recreation Areas

With 11 distinct ecoregions holding wonders like towering mesas and plateaus, serene swimming beaches, peaceful prairies and towering forests that stretch for miles, the variety of beauty in Oklahoma is awe-inspiring. Visitors who head outdoors in Oklahoma find the diversity to be outstanding. It’s a state where you can canoe leisurely through calm waters on the Illinois River or Lower Mountain Fork River or embark on a strenuous climb up steep canyon walls at Red Rock Canyon or Robbers Cave State Park. Go bird watching at one of the state’s many refuges like the Hackberry Flats Wildlife Management Area or watch a massive herd of bison stampede through native grasses at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.

Hikers will find a multitude of hiking trails from leisurely strolls through paved nature trails to extreme boulder-hopping at Charon’s Garden Trail within the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Lawton. Mountain biking is also a favorite pastime at the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area in Tulsa and many of Oklahoma’s 35 state parks.

The outdoor attractions in Oklahoma deserve to be seen from every angle. Check out our stunning state from beneath the surface of Lake Tenkiller’s underwater scuba park or admire it from 500 feet above Grand Lake on a parasailing adventure. Watch a crystal clear creek reflect the starry sky turning into morning or see the stunning blue skies turn into a magical sunset over rolling green hills.

Whatever outdoor escape you’re seeking, it’s waiting for you in Oklahoma. Order our free Outdoor Recreation Guide to learn more about the incredible outdoor offerings in the state then travel to Oklahoma to experience for yourself the serenity, beauty and adventure the state has to offer.

Explore five of Oklahoma's top mountain biking trails that offer the opportunity to get off the beaten path and into the scenery with your bike. Enjoy scenic, wooded areas and unique technical challenges that make Oklahoma a favorite among mountain bikers. read more